WORTHINGTON -- Another Independent School District 518 fall activities season has arrived. Students began practicing under the guidance of coaches on Aug. 14. Students began participating in events on Aug. 18, when the girls' tennis team hosted the Worthington Invitational.
All football, volleyball, boys and girls soccer, boys and girls cross country, girls' tennis and cheerleading for the fall are included on the Independent School District 518 school activity calendar. Calendars can be picked up at Prairie Elementary School, Worthington Middle School, Worthington High School, as well as local businesses that helped sponsor the calendar. There is no cost for the calendar, but there is a limit of one per household.
Once again, ISD 518 is hopeful to receive the strong community support for activities it has received in past years. The community's attendance and encouragement at Worthington Middle School and Worthington High School events increase the excitement and enjoyment for everyone involved.
Good sportsmanship is an integral ingredient in making Independent School District 518's events as exciting and enjoyable as possible for everyone involved. The Minnesota State High School League, the governing organization over activities for Minnesota, has worked hard at helping member schools understand the importance of, as well as, promote good sportsmanship in activities. Earlier this August, in an effort to further elevate standards of sportsmanship and encourage the growth of responsible citizenship among students, parents, member schools, fans and school personnel, the MSHSL held a Sportsmanship Summit called "Team Up" and asked student participants from across the state of Minnesota to identify behavior expectations they felt should be in place at every school event.
The behavior expectations identified by this group included: 1) Respect the American flag and the National Anthem. 2) Use appropriate language; 3) Respect everyone; 4) Respect the game; 5) Display only positive signs and don't use any noisemakers.
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For additional information on the Sportsmanship Summit or to just find out more about the Minnesota State High School League and what programs and services it has to offer check out the organization's Web site at www.mshsl.org .
Being a member school district, Worthington Schools not only recognize the important role good sportsmanship plays in activities, but also have the responsibility of maintaining an atmosphere of good sportsmanship. According to Minnesota State High School League Bylaw 409-2, "School officials shall be held responsible for the proper conduct of teams, team members, students and spectators regardless of where the contest is being held." It is for these reasons that individuals who choose not to abide by the behavior expectations developed at the Sportsmanship Summit will be removed from events and contests.
Worthington School District 518 has hired a new cheerleading coach, Bridget Young, and she has set the expectations high for the upcoming year. We hope to see positive things to kick off the football season.
Additionally, all fall sports have an above-average number of students participating in the 2006 season. The high number of participants will continue to ensure strong squads in the years to come. We're also excited about the possibility of our band programs displaying a positive image with Worthington pride at our athletic events.
The community support received at Worthington School District events is much appreciated. Please continue to show support for the youth of this community by attending events whenever possible. Do so, however, with the five behavior expectations identified by student athletes at the "Team Up" summit from this summer in mind.
By abiding by these behavior expectations we increase the excitement and enjoyment for everyone involved, not to mention demonstrate the ideals of responsible citizenship.
